Multi-touch tablet has custom user interface

By Jonathan Angel
2010-02-03

Article Rating:

/ 1

Rate This Article:

Add This Article To:

The French company ExoPC has announced a 8.9-inch tablet computer with an Intel Atom processor and 32GB of SSD (solid state disk) storage. The ExoPC Slate runs Windows 7, supports multi-touch, provides WiFi and Bluetooth, and offers a custom user interface called ExoPC IU Layer, the company says.

Resembling Apple's recently announced iPad, the ExoPC Slate appears to be a riposte to that device, with a similar emphasis on media consumption. ExoPC touts the Slate's ability to multitask, support "all formats including [Adobe] Flash," play streaming audio and video, and display "digital books in any format."

According to ExoPC, the ExoPC Slate runs Windows 7, but with a touch-friendly user interface known as the ExoPC IU Layer. A "freely available" software development kit (SDK) allows touch applications to be created using either JavaScript or Flash, the company adds.

The ExoPC Slate

OUR VERDICT:
We'd love one of these, but tablet devices will need ARM or Moorestown processors to compete seriously with Apple's iPad

Hardware specifications for the ExoPC Slate include an 8.9-inch multi-touch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, plus Intel's familiar Atom N270 CPU (with the now-venerable 945GSE northbridge and ICH7M southbridge). Equipped with 2GB of DDR2 RAM, the Slate has a 32GB SSD (solid state disk), ExoPC adds.

ExoPC says the Slate offers 802.11b/g wireless networking, Bluetooth, and 10/100 Ethernet, plus a 1.3 megapixel camera. Also included are three USB ports, a microphone input and headphone output, a VGA port, and a SIM slot that will work with an optional cellular modem, the company says.

Specifications provided by ExoPC for the Slate include the following:

Processor -- 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
Chipset -- 945GSE northbridge and ICH7M southbridge
Memory -- 2GB of DDR2 RAM
Display -- 8.9-inch multi-touch screen with 1024 x 600 resolution
Camera -- 1.3 megapixel
Storage -- 32GB SSD
Expansion:
- SIM slot
- SD/MMC slot
Networking:
- LAN -- 10/100 Ethernet
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g/n
- PAN -- Bluetooth
Other I/O:
- 1 x VGA
- 3 x USB 2.0
Battery -- Four hours of operation
Dimensions -- 9.84 x 6.61 x 0.82 inches (250 x 168 x 21mm)
Weight -- n/s

Further information

According to ExoPC, the Slate is available now in a developer version, which costs $780 inclusive of shipping. This version lacks a multi-touch display and provides only two hours of battery life, warns the company, which did not say when the final version will go on sale.

More information about the ExoPC Slate may be found on the company's website, here.

Related stories:

	Discuss Multi-touch tablet has custom user interface

	Error in the URL thank you!

	>>> Post your comment now!



	>>> More News Articles >>> More By Jonathan Angel

Email Article To Friend ♦ Print Version Of Article ♦ PDF Version Of Article

Windows XP for Embedded Applications
This white paper describes the benefits of using Windows XP when developing embedded applications.

A Manager's Guide to Selecting a Mobile Device Operating System
This white paper offers a comparative review of Microsoft Windows CE and Windows Mobile.

Visual Basic 6.0 to .NET Migration
This paper focuses on the methodology and techniques which Infosys (Microsoft Technology Center) has developed for migrating VB 6.0 Applications to .NET. Our approach ensures a smooth, cost effective, and efficient migration.

Mobile Device Security: Securing the Handheld, Securing the Enterprise
This whitepaper identifies security threats to corporate data on mobile devices and details how mobile devices can become a "backdoor" to the enterprise.

Mobile Device Security: The Eight Areas of Risk
It's common knowledge that adding mobile devices to your network increases security risks. There are multiple facets to mobile security, all of which should be paid close attention to. This E-Guide presents a more in depth look into the eight key areas of securing wireless devices.

Quality Assurance and .NET
This paper discusses best practices for functional, regression and load testing of .NET applications.

SCADA Security in Integrated Networks
As businesses leverage their SCADA systems by integrating them into the business networks, they must also assure the security of the SCADA system.

The Advantages of Small Form Factor HMI
HMIs have mutated and changed with new requirements, and they have become more flexible and capable. And while they've been doing that, they've become smaller and more useful.

9 Critical Requirements for Web Application Security
Learn why your Web applications expose dangerous security breaches and what’s required to effectively protect your Web applications and the sensitive information behind them.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

Click here for a profile of each sponsor:

PLATINUM SPONSORS
<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=qt-software;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=qt-software;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>